Carpenter joins Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office

BAKERSVILLE – Cody Carpenter is the newest member of the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office.

Carpenter, 24, who is from and lives in Avery County, started Jan. 25 working as a deputy in Mitchell County. He worked previously for the Land Harbor Special Police in Linville, the Avery County Sheriff’s Office and as a corrections officer.

“I saw Mitchell County had an opening and I talked to Sheriff (Donald) Street about it,” Carpenter said. “Chief Deputy Josh Sparks taught me at Mayland so when I saw the opportunity I jumped at it.”

Carpenter completed Basic Law Enforcement Training at Mayland in 2016. He has been a volunteer firefighter since he was 15 years old, which has caused him to spend a lot of time around law enforcement.

But, it was an experience with the Avery County Sheriff’s Office that made him decide what he wanted to do.

“I did a ride along in Avery County,” he said. “After that, I was hooked.”

Carpenter’s goal is to be a K-9 officer.

“He’s a fine young man with a lot of experience,” said Donald Street, Mitchell County Sheriff. “He is a great asset to our department.”

Carpenter is getting married this month and is expecting his first child, a son, in June.